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Indiana Rules of Civil Procedure
Because the rules of civil procedure
may change from time to time, please
check the
Indiana Courts website for
updated and complete rules of civil procedure in
Indiana.
Rules of Civil Procedure in Indiana:
Rule
4. Process
1. Jurisdiction Over Parties or
Persons - In General. The court
acquires jurisdiction over a party
or person who under these rules
commences or joins in the action, is
served with summons or enters an
appearance, or who is subjected to
the power of the court under any
other law.
2. Preparation of Summons and
Praecipe. Contemporaneously with the
filing of the complaint or
equivalent pleading, the person
seeking service or his attorney
shall promptly prepare and furnish
to the clerk as many copies of the
complaint and summons as are
necessary. The clerk shall examine,
date, sign, and affix his seal to
the summons and thereupon issue and
deliver the papers to the
appropriate person for service.
Affidavits, requests, and any other
information relating to the summons
and its service as required or
permitted by these rules shall be
included in a praecipe attached to
or entered upon the summons. Such
praecipe shall be deemed to be a
part of the summons for purposes of
these rules. Separate or additional
summons shall, as provided by these
rules, be issued by the clerk at any
time upon proper request of the
person seeking service or his
attorney.
3. Form of Summons. The summons
shall contain:
- The name and address of the
person on whom the service is to
be effected;
- The name of the court and
the cause number assigned to the
case;
- The title of the case as
shown by the complaint, but, if
there are multiple parties, the
title may be shortened to
include only the first named
plaintiff and defendant with an
appropriate indication that
there are additional parties;
- The name, address, and
telephone number of the attorney
for the person seeking service;
- The time within which these
rules require the person being
served to respond, and a clear
statement that in case of his
failure to do so, judgment by
default may be rendered against
him for the relief demanded in
the complaint. The summons may
also contain any additional
information which will
facilitate proper service.
4. Designation of Manner of
Service. The person seeking
service or his attorney may
designate the manner of service
upon the summons. If not so
designated, the clerk shall
cause service to be made by mail
or other public means provided
the mailing address of the
person to be served is indicated
in the summons or can be
determined. If a mailing address
is not furnished or cannot be
determined or if service by mail
or other public means is
returned without acceptance, the
complaint and summons shall
promptly be delivered to the
sheriff or his deputy who,
unless otherwise directed, shall
serve the summons.
5. Summons and Complaint Served
Together - Exceptions. The
summons and complaint shall be
served together unless otherwise
ordered by the court. When
service of summons is made by
publication, the complaint shall
not be published. When
jurisdiction over a party is
dependent upon service of
process by publication or by his
appearance, summons and
complaint shall be deemed to
have been served at the end of
the day of last required
publication in the case of
service by publication, and at
the time of appearance in
jurisdiction acquired by
appearance. Whenever the summons
and complaint are not served or
published together, the summons
shall contain the full,
unabbreviated title of the case.
Rule 4.1. Summons:
Service on individuals
1. In General. Service may be
made upon an individual, or an
individual acting in a
representative capacity, by:
- sending a copy of the
summons and complaint by
registered or certified mail
or other public means by
which a written
acknowledgment of receipt
may be requested and
obtained to his residence,
place of business or
employment with return
receipt requested and
returned showing receipt of
the letter; or
- delivering a copy of the
summons and complaint to him
personally; or
- sending a copy of the
summons and complaint by
registered or certified mail
or other public means by
which a written
acknowledgment of receipt
may be requested and
obtained to his residence,
place of business or
employment with return
receipt requested and
returned showing receipt of
the letter; or
- serving his agent as
provided by rule, statute or
valid agreement.
2. Copy Service to Be
Followed With Mail. Whenever
service is made under Clause
(3) or (4) of subdivision
(A), the person making the
service also shall send by
first class mail, a copy of
the summons without the
complaint to the last known
address of the person being
served, and this fact shall
be shown upon the return.
Amended Dec. 7, 1970,
effective Jan. 1, 1971.
Rule 4.2. Summons:
Service upon infant or
incompetents
1. Service Upon Infants.
Service upon an individual
known to be an infant shall
be made upon his next friend
or guardian ad litem, if
service is with respect to
the same action in which the
infant is so represented. If
there is no next friend or
guardian ad litem, service
shall be made upon his
court-appointed
representative if one is
known and can be served
within this state. If there
is no court-appointed
representative, service
shall be made upon either
parent known to have custody
of the infant, or if there
is no parent, upon a person
known to be standing in the
position of custodian or
parent. The infant shall
also be served if he is
fourteen [14] years of age
or older. In the event that
service, as provided above,
is not possible, service
shall be made on the infant.
2. Service Upon
Incompetents. Service upon
an individual who has been
adjudged to be of unsound
mind, otherwise incompetent
or who is believed to be
such shall be made upon his
next friend or guardian ad
litem, if service is with
respect to the same action
in which the incompetent is
so represented. If there is
no next friend or guardian
ad litem, service shall be
made upon his
court-appointed
representative if one is
known and can be served
within this state. If there
is no court-appointed
representative, then upon
the named party and also
upon a person known to be
standing in the position of
custodian of his person.
3. Duty to Inform Court -
Appearance. Nothing herein
is intended to affect the
duty of a party to inform
the court that a person is
an infant or incompetent. An
appearance by a
court-appointed guardian,
next friend or guardian ad
litem or his attorney shall
correct any defect in
service under this section
unless such defect be
challenged.
Rule 4.3. Summons:
Service upon
institutionalized persons
Service of summons upon a
person who is imprisoned or
restrained in an institution
shall be made by delivering
or mailing a copy of the
summons and complaint to the
official in charge of the
institution. It shall be the
duty of said official to
immediately deliver the
summons and complaint to the
person being served and
allow him to make provisions
for adequate representation
by counsel. The official
shall indicate upon the
return whether the person
has received the summons and
been allowed an opportunity
to retain counsel.
Rule 4.4. Service
upon persons in actions for
acts done in this state or
having an effect in this
state
1. Acts Serving as a Basis
for Jurisdiction. Any person
or organization that is a
nonresident of this state, a
resident of this state who
has left the state, or a
person whose residence is
unknown, submits to the
jurisdiction of the courts
of this state as to any
action arising from the
following acts committed by
him or her or his or her
agent:
- doing any business
in this state;
- causing personal
injury or property
damage by an act or
omission done within
this state;
- causing personal
injury or property
damage in this state by
an occurrence, act or
omission done outside
this state if he
regularly does or
solicits business or
engages in any other
persistent course of
conduct, or derives
substantial revenue or
benefit from goods,
materials, or services
used, consumed, or
rendered in this state;
- having supplied or
contracted to supply
services rendered or to
be rendered or goods or
materials furnished or
to be furnished in this
state;
- owning, using, or
possessing any real
property or an interest
in real property within
this state;
- contracting to
insure or act as surety
for or on behalf of any
person, property or risk
located within this
state at the time the
contract was made;
- living in the
marital relationship
within the state
notwithstanding
subsequent departure
from the state, as to
all obligations for
alimony, custody, child
support, or property
settlement, if the other
party to the marital
relationship continues
to reside in the state;
or
- abusing, harassing,
or disturbing the peace
of, or violating a
protective or
restraining order for
the protection of, any
person within the state
by an act or omission
done in this state, or
outside this state if
the act or omission is
part of a continuing
course of conduct having
an effect in this state.
2. Manner of service.
A person subject to the
jurisdiction of the
courts of this state
under this rule may be
served with summons:
- As provided by
Rules 4.1 (service
on individuals), 4.5
(service upon
resident who cannot
be found or served
within the state),
4.6 (service upon
organizations), 4.9
(in rem actions); or
- The person shall
be deemed to have
appointed the
Secretary of State
as his agent upon
whom service of
summons may be made
as provided in Rule
4.10.
- More convenient
forum. Jurisdiction
under this rule is
subject to the power
of the court to
order the litigation
to be held elsewhere
under such
reasonable
conditions as the
court in its
discretion may
determine to be
just. In the
exercise of that
discretion the court
may appropriately
consider such
factors as:
- Amenability
to personal
jurisdiction in
this state and
in any
alternative
forum of the
parties to the
action;
- Convenience
to the parties
and witnesses of
the trial in
this state in
any alternative
forum;
- Differences
in conflict of
law rules
applicable in
this state and
in the
alternative
forum; or
- Any other
factors having
substantial
bearing upon the
selection of a
convenient,
reasonable and
fair place of
trial.
3. Forum Non
Conveniens -
Stay or
Dismissal. No
stay or
dismissal shall
be granted due
to a finding of
forum non
conveniens until
all properly
joined
defendants file
with the clerk
of the court a
written
stipulation that
each defendant
will:
- submit
to the
personal
jurisdiction
of the
courts of
the other
forum; and
- waive
any defense
based on the
statute of
limitations
applicable
in the other
forum with
respect to
all causes
of action
brought by a
party to
which this
subsection
applies.
4. Order
on Forum Non
Conveniens -
Modification.
The court
may, on
motion and
notice to
the parties,
modify an
order
granting a
stay or
dismissal
under this
subsection
and take any
further
action in
the
proceeding
as the
interests of
justice may
require. If
the moving
party
violates a
stipulation
required by
subsection
(D), the
court shall
withdraw the
order
staying or
dismissing
the action
and proceed
as if the
order had
never been
issued.
Notwithstanding
any other
law, the
court shall
have
continuing
jurisdiction
for the
purposes of
this
subsection.
Amended
Dec. 7,
1970,
effective
Jan. 1,
1971;
amended
effective
Nov. 10,
1988;
amended Dec.
5, 1996,
effective
Feb. 1,1995;
amended Dec.
23, 1996,
effective
March 1,
1997 .
Rule 4.5.
Summons
Service upon
resident who
cannot be
found or
served
within the
state When
the person
to be served
is a
resident of
this state
who cannot
be served
personally
or by agent
in this
state and
either
cannot be
found, has
concealed
his
whereabouts
or has left
the state,
summons may
be served in
the manner
provided by
Rule 4.9
(summons in
in rem
actions).
Rule 4.6.
Service upon
organizations
1. Persons
to be
served.
Service upon
an
organization
may be made
as follows:
- In
the case
of a
domestic
or
foreign
organization
upon an
executive
officer
thereof,
or if
there is
an agent
appointed
or
deemed
by law
to have
been
appointed
to
receive
service,
then
upon
such
agent.
- In
the case
of a
partnership,
upon a
general
partner
thereof.
- In
the case
of a
state
governmental
organization
upon the
executive
officer
thereof
and also
upon the
attorney
general;
- In
the case
of a
local
governmental
organization
upon the
executive
thereof,
and if a
statute
provides
for an
attorney
to
represent
the
local
government
organization,
and an
attorney
occupies
such
position,
then
also
upon
such
attorney.
-
When, in
subsections
(c) and
(d) of
this
subdivision,
a
governmental
representative
is named
as a
party in
his
individual
name or
in such
name
along
with his
official
title,
then
also
upon
such
representative.
2.
Manner
of
service.
Service
under
subdivision
(A) of
this
rule
shall be
made on
the
proper
person
in the
manner
provided
by these
rules,
for
service
upon
individuals,
but a
person
seeking
service
or his
attorney
shall
not
knowingly
direct
service
to be
made at
the
person's
dwelling
house or
place of
abode,
unless
such is
an
address
furnished
under
the
requirements
of a
statute
or valid
agreement,
or
unless
an
affidavit
on or
attached
to the
summons
states
that
service
in
another
manner
is
impractical.
3.
Service
at
organization's
office.
When
shown
upon an
affidavit
or in
the
return,
that
service
upon an
organization
cannot
be made
as
provided
in
subdivision
(A) or
(B) of
this
rule,
service
may be
made by
leaving
a copy
of the
summons
and
complaint
at any
office
of such
organization
located
within
this
state
with the
person
in
charge
of such
office.
Rule
4.7.
Summons
Service
upon
agent
named by
statute
or
agreement
Whenever
an agent
(other
than an
agent
appointed
to
receive
service
for a
governmental
organization
of this
state)
has been
designated
by or
pursuant
to
statute
or valid
agreement
to
receive
service
for the
person
being
served,
service
may be
made
upon
such
agent as
follows:
1. If
the
agent is
a
governmental
organization
or
officer
d3esignated
by or
pursuant
to
statute,
service
shall be
made as
provided
in Rule
4.10.
2. If
the
agent is
one
other
than
that
described
above,
service
shall be
made
upon him
as
provided
in Rule
4.1
(service
upon
individuals)
or 4.6
(service
upon
organizations).
If
service
cannot
be made
upon
such
agent,
because
there is
no
address
furnished
as
required
by
statute
or valid
agreement
or his
whereabouts
in this
state
are
unknown,
then his
principal
shall be
deemed
to have
appointed
the
Secretary
of State
as a
replacement
for the
agent
and
service
may be
made
upon the
Secretary
of State
as
provided
in Rule
4.10.
Rule
4.8.
Summons
Service
of
pleadings
or
summons
on
Attorney
General
Service
of a
copy of
the
summons
and
complaint
or any
pleading
upon the
Attorney
General
under
these
rules or
any
statute
shall be
made by
personal
service
upon
him, a
deputy
or clerk
at his
office,
or by
mail or
other
public
means to
him at
such
office
in the
manner
provided
by Rule
4.1(A)(1),
and by
Rule
4.11 to
the
extent
applicable.
Rule
4.9.
Summons:
In rem
actions
1. In
general.
In any
action
involving
a res
situated
within
this
state,
service
may be
made as
provided
in this
rule.
The
court
may
render a
judgment
or
decree
to the
extent
of its
jurisdiction
over the
res.
2.
Manner
of
service.
Service
under
this
rule may
be made
as
follows:
-
By
service
of
summons
upon
a
person
or
his
agent
pursuant
to
these
rules;
or
-
By
service
of
summons
outside
this
state
in a
manner
provided
by
Rule
4.1
(service
upon
individuals)
or
by
publication
outside
this
state
in a
manner
provided
by
Rule
4.13
(service
by
publication)
or
outside
this
state
in
any
other
manner
as
provided
by
these
rules;
or
-
By
service
by
publication
pursuant
to
Rule
4.13.
Rule
4.10.
Summons:
Service
upon
Secretary
of
State
or
other
governmental
agent
1.
In
general.
Whenever,
under
these
rules
or
any
statute,
service
is
made
upon
the
Secretary
of
State
or
any
other
governmental
organization
or
officer,
as
agent
for
the
person
being
served,
service
may
be
made
upon
such
agent
as
provided
in
this
rule.
- The person seeking service or his attorney shall:
- submit his request for service upon the agent in the praecipe for summons, and state that the governmental organization or officer is the agent of the person being served;
- state the address of the person being served as filed and recorded pursuant to a statute or valid agreement, or if no such address is known, then his last known mailing address, and if no such address is known, then such shall be stated;
- pay any fee prescribed by statute to be forwarded together with sufficient copies of the summons, affidavit and complaint, to the agent by the clerk of the court.
- Upon receipt thereof the agent shall promptly:
- send to the person being served a copy of the summons and complaint by registered or certified mail or by other public means by which a written acknowledgment of receipt may be obtained;
- complete and deliver to the clerk an affidavit showing the date of the mailing, or if there was no mailing, the reason therefor;
- send to the clerk a copy of the return receipt along with a copy of the summons;
- file and retain a copy of the return receipt.
Rule 4.11. Summons: Registered or certified mail
Whenever service by registered or certified mail or other public means by which a return receipt may be requested is authorized, the clerk of the court or a governmental agent under Rule 4.10 shall send the summons and complaint to the person being served at the address supplied upon the summons, or furnished by the person seeking service. In his return the clerk of the court or the governmental agent shall show the date and place of mailing, a copy of the return receipt if and when received by him showing whether the mailing was accepted or returned, and, if accepted, by whom. The return along with the receipt shall be promptly filed by the clerk with the pleadings and become a part of the record. If a mailing by the clerk of the court is returned without acceptance, the clerk shall reissue the summons and complaint for service as requested, by the person seeking service. - Amended Dec. 7, 1970, effective Jan. 1, 1971.
Rule 4.12. Summons: Service by sheriff or other officer
1. In general. Whenever service is made by delivering a copy to a person personally or by leaving a copy at his dwelling house or place of employment as provided by Rule 4.1, summons shall be issued to and served by the sheriff, his deputy, or some person specially or regularly appointed by the court for that purpose. Service shall be effective if made by a person not otherwise authorized by these rules, but proof of service by such a person must be made by him as a witness or by deposition without allowance of expenses therefore as costs. The person to whom the summons is delivered for service must act promptly and exercise reasonable care to cause service to be made.
2. Special service by police officers. A sheriff, his deputy, or any full-time state or municipal police officer may serve summons in any county of this state if he agrees or has agreed to make the service. When specially requested in the praecipe for summons, the complaint and summons shall be delivered to such officer by the clerk or the attorney for the person seeking service. No agreement with the sheriff or his deputy for such service in the sheriff's own county shall be permitted. In no event shall any expenses agreed upon under this provision be assessed or recovered as costs or affect court costs otherwise imposed for regular service.
3. Service in other counties. A summons may be served in any county in this state. If service is to be made in another county, the summons may be issued by the clerk for service therein to the sheriff of such county or to a person authorized to make service by these rules.
4. Service outside the state. Personal service, when permitted by these rules to be made outside the state, may be made there by any disinterested person or by the attorney representing the person seeking such service. The expenses of such person may be assessed as costs only if they are reasonable and if service by mail or other public means cannot be made or is not successful.
Rule 4.13. Summons: Service by publication.
1. Praecipe for summons by publication. In any action where notice by publication is permitted by these rules or by statute, service may be made by publication. Summons by publication may name all the persons to be served, and separate publications with respect to each party shall not be required. The person seeking such service, or his attorney, shall submit his request therefore upon the praecipe for summons along with supporting affidavits that diligent search has been made[,] that the defendant cannot be found, has concealed his whereabouts, or has left the state, and shall prepare the contents of the summons to be published. The summons shall be signed by the clerk of the court or the sheriff in such manner as to indicate that it is made by his authority.
2. Contents of summons by publication. The summons shall contain the following information:
- The name of the person being sued, and the person to whom the notice is directed, and, if the person's whereabouts are unknown or some or all of the parties are unknown, a statement to that effect;
- The name of the court and cause number assigned to the case;
- The title of the case as shown by the complaint, but if there are multiple parties, the title may be shortened to include only the first named plaintiff and those defendants to be served by publication with an appropriate indication that there are additional parties;
- The name and address of the attorney representing the person seeking service;
- A brief statement of the nature of the suit, which need not contain the details and particulars of the claim. A description of any property, relationship, or other res involved in the action, and a statement that the person being sued claims some interest therein;
- A clear statement that the person being sued must respond within thirty [30] days after the last notice of the action is published, and in case he fails to do so, judgment by default may be entered against him for the relief demanded in the complaint.
3. Publication of summons. The summons shall be published three [3] times by the clerk or person making it, the first publication promptly and each two [2] succeeding publications at least seven [7] and not more that fourteen [14] days after the prior publication, in a newspaper authorized by law to publish notices, and published in the county where the complaint or action is filed, where the res is located, or where the defendant resides or where he was known last to reside. If no newspaper is published in the county, then the summons shall be published in the county in this state nearest thereto in which any such paper may be printed, or in a place specially ordered by the court. The person seeking the service or his attorney may designate any qualified newspaper, and if he fails to do so, the selection may be made by the clerk.
4. By whom made or procured. Service of summons by publication shall be made and procured by the clerk, by a person appointed by the court for that purpose, or by the clerk or sheriff of another county where publication is to be made.
5. Return. The clerk or person making the service shall prepare the return and include the following:
- Any supporting affidavits of the printer containing a copy of the summons which was published;
- An information or statement that the newspaper and the publication meet all legal requirements applicable to such publication;
- The dates of publication
- The return and affidavits shall be filed with the pleadings and other papers in the case and shall become a part of the record as provided in these rules.
Rule 4.14. Territorial limits and service under special order
1. Territorial limits of effective service. Process may be served anywhere within the territorial limits of this state and outside the state as provided in these rules.
2. Service under special order of court. Upon application of any party the court in which any action is pending may make an appropriate order for service in a manner not provided by these rules or statutes when such service is reasonably calculated to give the defendant actual knowledge of the proceedings and an opportunity to be heard.
Rule 4.15. Summons: Proof of Service - Return - Amendments - Defects
1. Return - Form. The person making service shall promptly make his return upon or attach it to a copy of the summons which shall be delivered to the clerk. The return shall be signed by the person making it, and shall include a statement:
- that service was made upon the person as required by law and the time, place, and manner thereof;
- if service was not made, the particular manner in which it was thwarted in terms of fact or in terms of law;
- such other information as is expressly required by these rules.
2. Return and affidavits as evidence. The return, along with the summons to which it is attached or is a part, the praecipe for summons, affidavits furnished with the summons or praecipe for summons, and all other affidavits permitted by these rules shall be filed by the clerk with the pleadings and other papers in the case and thereupon shall become a part of the record, and have such evidentiary effect as is now provided by law. Copies of such record shall be admissible in all actions and proceedings and may be entered in any public records when certified over the signature of the clerk or his deputy and the clerk's seal.
3. Proof of filing and issuance dates. The clerk shall enter a filing date upon every praecipe, pleading, return, summons, affidavit or other paper filed with or entered of record by him. The clerk shall also enter an issuance date upon any summons issued, mailed or delivered by him, or other communication served or transmitted by him under these rules. Such filing or issuance date shall constitute evidence of the date of filing or issuance without further authentication when entered in the court records, or when the paper or a copy thereof is otherwise properly offered or admitted into evidence.
4. Admission of service. A written admission stating the date and place of service, signed by the person being served, may be filed with the clerk who shall file it with the pleadings. Such admission shall become a part of the record, constitute evidence of proper service, and shall be allowed as evidence in any action or proceeding.
5. Amendment. At any time in its discretion and upon such terms as it deems just, the court may allow any process or proof of service thereof to be amended unless it clearly appears that material prejudice would result to the substantial rights of the person against whom the process is issued.
6. Defects in summons. No summons or the service thereof shall be set aside or be adjudged insufficient when either is reasonably calculated to inform the person to be served that an action has been instituted against him, the name of the court, and the time within which he is required to respond.
Rule 4.16. Summons: Duties of persons to aid in service
1. It shall be the duty of every person being served under these rules to cooperate, accept service, comply with the provisions of these rules, and, when service is made upon him personally, acknowledge receipt of the papers in writing over his signature.
- Offering or tendering the papers to the person being served and advising the person that he or she is being served is adequate service.
- A person who has refused to accept the offer or tender of the papers being served thereafter may not challenge the service of those papers.
2. Anyone accepting service for another person is under a duty to:
- promptly deliver the papers to that person;
- promptly notify that person that he holds the papers for him; or
- within a reasonable time, in writing, notify the clerk or person making the service that he has been unable to make such delivery of notice when such is the case.
3. No person through whom service is made under these rules may impose any sanction, penalty, punishment, or discrimination whatsoever against the person being served because of such service. Any person willfully violating any provision of this rule may be subjected to contempt proceedings.
Amended Oct. 30, 1992, effective Jan. 1, 1993.
Rule 4.17. Summons: Certain proceedings excepted.
Rules 4 through 4.16 shall not replace the manner of serving summons or giving notice as specially provided by statute or rule in proceedings involving, without limitation, the administration of decedent's estates, guardianships, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors.
Rule 5. Service and Filing of Pleading and Other Papers
1. Service: When Required. Unless otherwise provided by these rules or an order of the court, each and special judge, if any, party shall be served with:
- every order required by its
terms to be served;
- every pleading subsequent to
the original complaint;
- every written motion except
one which may be heard ex parte;
- every brief submitted to the
trial court;
- every paper relating to
discovery required to be served
upon a party; and
- every written notice,
appearance, demand, offer of
judgment, designation of record
on appeal, or similar paper.
No service need be made on
parties in default for failure
to appear, except that pleadings
asserting new or additional
claims for relief against them
shall be served upon them in the
manner provided by service of
summons in Rule 4.
2.
Service: How made. Whenever a
party is represented by an
attorney of record, service
shall be made upon such attorney
unless service upon the party
himself is ordered by the court.
Service upon the attorney or
party shall be made by
delivering or mailing a copy of
the papers to him at his last
known address.
- 1. Delivery. Delivery of
a copy within this rule
means:
- offering or
tendering it to the
attorney or party and
stating the nature of
the papers being served.
Refusal to accept an
offered or tendered
document is a waiver of
any objection to the
sufficiency or adequacy
of service of that
document;
- leaving it at his
office with a clerk or
other person in charge
thereof, or if there is
no one in charge,
leaving it in a
conspicuous place
therein; or
- if the office is
closed, by leaving it at
his dwelling house or
usual place of abode
with some person of
suitable age and
discretion then residing
therein; or,
- leaving it at some
other suitable place,
selected by the attorney
upon whom service is
being made, pursuant to
duly promulgated local
rule.
- 2. Service by Mail.
If service is made by
mail, the papers shall
be deposited in the
United States mail
addressed to the person
on whom they are being
served, with postage
prepaid. Service shall
be deemed complete upon
mailing Proof of service
of all papers permitted
to be mailed may be made
by written
acknowledgment of
service, by affidavit of
the person who mailed
the papers, or by
certificate of an
attorney. It shall be
the duty of attorneys
when entering their
appearance in a cause or
when filing pleadings or
papers therein, to have
noted on the
chronological case
summary or said
pleadings or papers so
filed the address and
telephone number of
their office. Service by
delivery or by mail at
such address shall be
deemed sufficient and
complete.
3. Same: Numerous
defendants. In any
action in which there
are unusually large
numbers of defendants,
the court, upon motion
or of its own
initiative, may order
- that service of the
pleadings of the defendants and
replies thereto need not be made
as between the defendants;
- that any cross-claim,
counterclaim, or matter
constituting an avoidance or
affirmative defense contained
therein shall be deemed to be
denied or avoided by all other
parties; and
- that the filing of any such
pleading and service thereof
upon the plaintiff constitutes
due notice of it to the parties.
A copy of every such order shall
be served upon the parties in
such manner and form as the
court directs.
4. Filing.
- 1. Except as otherwise
provided in subparagraph (2)
hereof, all pleadings and
papers subsequent to the
complaint which are required
to be served upon a party
shall be filed with the
Court either before service
or within a reasonable
period of time thereafter.
- No deposition or request
for discovery or response
thereto under Trial Rules
27, 30, 31, 33, 34 or 36
shall be filed with the
Court unless:
- A motion is filed
pursuant to Trial Rule
26(C) or Trial Rule 37
and the original
deposition or request
for discovery or
response thereto is
necessary to enable the
Court to rule; or
- A party desires to
use the deposition or
request for discovery or
response thereto for
evidentiary purposes at
trial or in connection
with a motion, and the
Court, either upon its
own motion or that of
any party, or as a part
of any pre-trial order,
orders the filing of the
original.
- Custody of original
and Period of Retention:
- The original of
a deposition shall,
subject to the
provisions of Trial
Rule 30(E), be
delivered by the
reporter to the
party taking it and
shall be maintained
by that party until
filed with the Court
pursuant to
paragraph (2) or
until the later of
final judgment,
agreed settlement of
the litigation or
all appellate rights
have been exhausted.
- The original or
any request for
discovery or
response thereto
under Trial Rules
27, 30, 31, 33, 34
and 36 shall be
maintained by the
party originating
the request or
response until filed
with the Court
pursuant to
paragraph (2) or
until the later of
final judgment,
agreed settlement or
all appellate rights
have been exhausted.
- In the event it
is made to appear to
the satisfaction of
the Court that the
original of a
deposition or
request for
discovery or
response thereto
cannot be filed with
the Court when
required, the Court
may allow use of a
copy instead of the
original.
- The filing of
any deposition shall
constitute
publication.
5. Filing With
the Court Defined.
The filing of
pleadings, motions,
and other papers
with the court as
required by these
rules shall be made
by one of the
following methods:
- Delivery to
the clerk of the
court;
- Sending by
electronic
facsimile
transmission
under the
procedure
adopted pursuant
to
Administrative
Rule 12;
- Mailing to
the clerk by
registered or
certified mail
return receipt
requested; or
- If the court
so permits,
filing with the
judge, in which
event the judge
shall note
thereon the
filing date and
forthwith
transmit them to
the office of
the clerk.
Filing by
registered or
certified mail
shall be
complete upon
mailing.
Filing by
registered or
certified mail
shall be
complete upon
mailing.
[As amended
December 11,
1969, effective
midnight
December 31,
1969; amended
November 13,
1979, effective
January 1, 1980;
amended October
15, 1986,
effective
January 1, 1987;
amended November
13, 1990,
effective
January 1, 1991;
amended October
25, 1991,
effective
January 1, 1992;
amended October
30, 1992,
effective
January 1, 1993;
amended December
5, 1994, and
effective
February 1,
1995; amended
December 4,
1998, effective
January 1,
1999.]
Rule 45. Subpoena
For Attendance of Witnesses - Form - Issuance.
1. Every subpoena shall:
- state
the name of
the court;
- state
the title of
the action
(without
naming more
than the
first named
plaintiffs
and
defendants
in the
complaint
and the case
number); and
- command
each person
to whom it
is directed
to attend
and give
testimony at
a time and
place
therein
specified.
2. The
clerk shall
issue a
subpoena, or
a subpoena
for the
production
of
documentary
evidence,
signed and
sealed but
otherwise in
blank, to a
party
requesting
it or his or
her
attorney,
who shall
fill it in
before
service. An
attorney
admitted to
practice law
in this
state, as an
officer of
the court,
may also
issue and
sign such
subpoena on
behalf of
(a) a court
in which the
attorney has
appeared for
a party; or
(b) a court
in which a
deposition
or
production
is compelled
by the
subpoena, if
the
deposition
or
production
pertains to
an action
pending in a
court where
the attorney
has appeared
for a party
in that
case.
For production of
documentary
evidence.
A subpoena may also
command the
person to
whom it is
directed to
produce the
books,
papers,
documents,
or tangible
things
designated
therein; but
the court,
upon motion
made
promptly and
in any event
at or before
the time
specified in
the subpoena
for
compliance
therewith,
may
1. quash or modify
the subpoena
if it is
unreasonable
and
oppressive
or
2. condition denial
of the
motion upon
the
advancement
by the
person in
whose behalf
the subpoena
is issued of
the
reasonable
cost of
producing
the books,
papers,
documents,
or tangible
things.
Service.
A subpoena
may be
served by
the sheriff
or his
deputy, a
party or any
person.
Service of a
subpoena
upon a
person named
therein
shall be
made by
delivering a
copy thereof
to such
person.
Service may
be made in
the same
manner as
provided in
Rule 4.1,
Rule 4.16
and Rule
5(B).
Subpoena for
taking
depositions
- Place of
examination.
1. Proof of service
of a notice
to take a
deposition
as provided
in Rules
30(B) and
31(A)
constitutes
a sufficient
authorization
for the
issuance by
the clerk of
court for
the county
in which the
deposition
is to be
taken of
subpoenas
for the
persons
named or
described
therein. The
subpoena may
command the
person to
whom it is
directed to
produce
designated
books,
papers,
documents,
or tangible
things which
constitute
or contain
matters
within the
scope of the
examination
permitted by
Rule 26(B),
but in that
event the
subpoena
will be
subject to
the
provisions
of Rule
26(C) and
subdivision
(B) of this
rule. 2.
An individual may be required to
attend an examination only in the
county wherein he resides or is
employed or transacts his business
in person, or at such other
convenient place as is fixed by an
order of court. A nonresident of the
state may be required to attend only
in the state and county wherein he
is served with a subpoena, or within
forty [40] miles from the place of
service, or at such other convenient
place as is fixed by an order of
court. A non-resident plaintiff may
be required to attend at his own
expense an examination in the county
of this state where the action is
commenced or in a county fixed by
the court.
Subpoena for a
hearing or trial.
At the request of
any party subpoenas for attendance
at a hearing or trial shall be
issued by the clerk of court of the
county in which the action is
pending when requested, or, in the
case of a subpoena for the taking of
a deposition, by the clerk of court
of the county in which the action is
so pending or in the county in which
the deposition is being taken. A
subpoena may be served at any place
within the state; and when permitted
by the laws of the United States,
this or another state or foreign
country, the court upon proper
application and cause shown may
authorize the service of a subpoena
outside the state in accordance with
and as permitted by such law.
Contempt.
Failure by any person without
adequate excuse to obey a subpoena
served upon him may be deemed a
contempt of the court from which the
subpoena issued, or court of the
county where the witness was
required thereunder to appear or
act. The attendance of all witnesses
when duly subpoenaed, and to whom
fees have been paid or tendered as
required by law may be enforced by
attachment.
Tender of fees.
Service of a
subpoena upon a person named therein
shall be made by delivering a copy
thereof to such person who shall be
required to attend outside his
county of residence as provided in
section (C), and by so tendering to
him the fees for one [1] day's
attendance and the mileage allowed
by law. Such tender shall not be
required to be made to a party who
is subpoenaed or to an officer,
employee, agent or representative of
a party which is an organization,
including the estate or any
governmental organization, who is
being examined upon any matter
connected in any way with his
employment or with duties to the
organization.
Proof of service
of subpoena - Fees.
When a subpoena is
served by the sheriff or his deputy,
his return shall be proof of
service. When served by any other
person the service must be shown by
affidavit. No fees or costs for the
service of a subpoena shall be
collected or charged as costs except
when service is made by the sheriff
or his deputy.
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